China/US: Together at Last?

J. Robert McKnight

2-27-09

9:32

With global warming and climate change looming ever more menacingly over us all, two nations are working together like never before to change their reckless ways...  

The US and China are taking advantage of the eminent eco-tastrophe to bolster their rocky relationship.  Before the two can solve any global problems, however, they've got to "increase the level, intensity, transparency and consistency" of their dialogue.  

China and America combined account for nearly half of the global total of greenhouse gas emissions.  The two agree that something needs to be done, but don't agree upon how.  Co-development of technology, building a framework for energy cooperation and a US-China  summit highlighting clean energy has been recommended by concerned outsiders.

A mutual distrust in each of the governments has long been a big problem in resolving conflicts between the two countries, but perhaps this "less divisive goal" (compared to issues of security, trade and human rights) will herald in a new era of collaboration and other good things...

Less divisive, perhaps, but "climate change now likely presents the greatest security threat to our common future," says Kenneth Lieberthal, a China scholar and former White House adviser.      

Leave it to armageddon to forge international unity.  It's funny how bad things so often bring about good...  And vise versa.  This problem is one of those kill two birds with one stone opportunities.  Wouldn't it be cool if the better part of 40% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions were cut and America and China trusted each other.  Everyone wins.  

I've read before that China isn't very excited to curb its patiently awaited rise to power in the name of the environment, and that it's their opinion that the greater environmental responsibility rests on fully developed nations.  I didn't know that that's why Bush didn't sign the Kyoto protocol, because it was his opinion that developing countries like China and India ought not to be exempt from the rest of the worlds efforts.  A terrible, TERRIBLE reason for the US not to participate, but his point rings true.  The well-being of the planet comes before a nation attaining new levels of economic prosperity and prestige. 

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